Saturday, November 19, 2011

My make-up essentials

Finding the make-up that works right for you takes a lot of trial and error, and even more when you live in a tropical island. With the constant humidity and sunshine it is crucial to find products that won't melt on you and clog your pores. I've decided to put together a list of the products that have worked for me.

Face:

To prep my face, I use 3 products: e.l.f's Tinted Moisturizer, Almay's Clear Complexion Concealer and Powder. This tinted moisturizer has SPF 20 which protects skin from sun damage. It also contains aloe, cucumber, and vitamins. I really like this moisturizer because it provides a good amount of coverage, but it still feels very light on skin. I wear it everyday and it doesn't seem to clog up my pores. After I apply the moisturizer, I use the concealer to cover up any trouble spots like pimples, etc. This concealer also provides a great amount of coverage. The advantage of this concealer is that it also contains salicylic acid which helps dry out pimples. Finally, I apply the powder which also contains salicylic acid. Usually, after wearing these products during the day I see considerable improvements and within a week my face is cleared up.

Cheeks:

For my cheeks I use 2 different products: NYX's Rouge Cream Blush in Natural and Hard Candy's Hide & Glow duo cheek tint in Hot Date. I chose these products over powder blushes because they last through the whole day. I don't like having to worry about retouching my make-up so durability is very important for me. NYX's cream blush is an excellent product, but it's not for those who are looking for a quick application. Since it's a cream blush, you need to take some time in order to blend it well. I usually save this one for more special occasions. I prefer to use the Hard Candy cheek tint for daily make-up. What I really like about this product is its versatility, you can wear each shade on its own or combine the two. The application is extremely easy and the shades look great. Since I really like the red shade, I use it as a lip stain also. Normally, I apply a small amount using my fingers and then I use a clear lip balm over it.

Eyes:

My go-to mascara will always be Benefit's Bad Gal lash. It makes my lashes look really long and full without clumping them up. For daily use I only wear one coat, but for more dramatic looks I tend to wear two coats. For an extremely long lasting eyeliner, you can try Maybelline's EyeStudio gel liner. You apply it with a small angle brush and it will stay on during the whole day.